Cascades Among Top 5 Scenic Family Hikes in Virginia

Cascades Among Top 5 Scenic Family Hikes in Virginia

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Giles County, VA – The Cascades National Recreation Trail was recently listed among the top five scenic family hikes in Virginia by the Virginia Tourism Corporation.

Here’s what the Virginia is for Lovers blog has to say about the Cascades:

“Cascade Falls Trail in Pembroke, Virginia, offers one of the most beautiful waterfalls in the state, if not the entire East Coast.”

Cascade Falls is a beautiful hike no matter the season. Read more about hiking the Cascades here and see the Top 5 scenic hikes in Virginia for families here.

Learn more about the wide variety of outdoor amenities available in Virginia’s New River Valley here.

Explore more accolades won by NRV counties, city, towns, and universities here.

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Virginia’s New River Valley: Virginia’s New River Valley is an eclectic mix of interconnected small towns that each offer their own unique vibe and appeal. The region provides an abundance of cultural and social offerings due to the presence of three world-class universities, while retaining the charm and benefits of small-town living. The NRV is home to a diverse and innovative business community with companies that range from high-tech startups to foreign-based corporations to specialty agribusiness. These organizations benefit from the collaborative spirit of our region and a loyal, highly skilled, and educated workforce. The scenic beauty of the region also fosters a deep connection to nature, which is deepened by access to outdoor recreation and the preservation of our natural environment. It’s clear why Virginia’s New River Valley is “A Natural Fit.”

Onward NRV: Onward NRV is a public/private, regional economic development organization whose mission is to attract and retain world class jobs, investment, and talent in Virginia’s New River Valley. It’s also a movement where leaders from business, government, and higher education work together to promote the economic vitality of the region.

Cascades Among Top 5 Scenic Family Hikes in Virginia
Pulaski County Awarded SolSmart Gold Designation

Pulaski County Awarded SolSmart Gold Designation

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Pulaski County, VA – Pulaski County was recently awarded a SolSmart Gold designation. SolSmart is a nationwide program that “recognizes cities, counties, and regional organizations for making it faster, easier, and more affordable to go solar.” SolSmart has only awarded 139 Gold designations across the country, and Pulaski County is one of only three communities in Virginia to achieve that designation.

According to County Administrator Jonathan Sweet, “this Gold designation further demonstrates that [Pulaski County has] made it easier and more affordable for citizens and business[es] to move to solar.”

Read more about Pulaski County’s SolSmart Gold Designation from The Southwest Times here.

Learn more about Pulaski County, a community in Virginia’s New River Valley, here.

Explore more accolades won by NRV counties, city, towns, and universities here.

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Virginia’s New River Valley: Virginia’s New River Valley is an eclectic mix of interconnected small towns that each offer their own unique vibe and appeal. The region provides an abundance of cultural and social offerings due to the presence of three world-class universities, while retaining the charm and benefits of small-town living. The NRV is home to a diverse and innovative business community with companies that range from high-tech startups to foreign-based corporations to specialty agribusiness. These organizations benefit from the collaborative spirit of our region and a loyal, highly skilled, and educated workforce. The scenic beauty of the region also fosters a deep connection to nature, which is deepened by access to outdoor recreation and the preservation of our natural environment. It’s clear why Virginia’s New River Valley is “A Natural Fit.”

Onward NRV: Onward NRV is a public/private, regional economic development organization whose mission is to attract and retain world class jobs, investment, and talent in Virginia’s New River Valley. It’s also a movement where leaders from business, government, and higher education work together to promote the economic vitality of the region.

Floyd Voted Top Tiny Adventure Town 2020

Floyd Voted Top Tiny Adventure Town 2020

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Floyd County, VA – Floyd was voted the Top Tiny Adventure Town for 2020 by readers of Blue Ridge Outdoors magazine. The magazine “asked [their] readers to select the region’s best adventure hubs in [the] 10th annual Top Adventure Towns contest, which featured 100 towns across the Mid-Atlantic and Southeast competing for the title of best outdoor burg.”

Floyd was the winner of the “Tiny Town” category, for towns with populations less than 3,000. Here’s what Blue Ridge Outdoors had to say about Floyd:

“Tucked away in southwest Virginia, Floyd combines the authentic feel of a quaint country town with a vibrant cultural scene in the Blue Ridge Mountains.”

Read the full article from Blue Ridge Outdoors here to explore the outdoor adventures available in Floyd.

Learn more about Floyd, a community in Virginia’s New River Valley, here.

Explore more accolades won by NRV counties, city, towns, and universities here.

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Virginia’s New River Valley: Virginia’s New River Valley is an eclectic mix of interconnected small towns that each offer their own unique vibe and appeal. The region provides an abundance of cultural and social offerings due to the presence of three world-class universities, while retaining the charm and benefits of small-town living. The NRV is home to a diverse and innovative business community with companies that range from high-tech startups to foreign-based corporations to specialty agribusiness. These organizations benefit from the collaborative spirit of our region and a loyal, highly skilled, and educated workforce. The scenic beauty of the region also fosters a deep connection to nature, which is deepened by access to outdoor recreation and the preservation of our natural environment. It’s clear why Virginia’s New River Valley is “A Natural Fit.”

Onward NRV: Onward NRV is a public/private, regional economic development organization whose mission is to attract and retain world class jobs, investment, and talent in Virginia’s New River Valley. It’s also a movement where leaders from business, government, and higher education work together to promote the economic vitality of the region.

Vacation Idea Features 9 Best Things to Do in Floyd

Vacation Idea Features 9 Best Things to Do in Floyd

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Floyd County, VA – A recent article from the travel website Vacation Idea featured the nine best things to do in Floyd. Activities featured on the list include experiencing the outdoors, learning about arts and history, and savoring the local food and drink.

As the article states,

“Floyd is a wondrous natural heartland thanks to its scenic position atop the breathtaking Blue Ridge Plateau, overlooking the surrounding green landscape. With a rich and vibrant culture and history, the town is highly spoken of for its hospitality towards visitors wishing to experience its celebrations of food wines, the arts, music, and more.”

Read the article from Vacation Idea to learn which nine places in Floyd were included on the list. Learn more about Floyd, a community in Virginia’s New River Valley, here.

Note: Please contact destinations highlighted in the article prior to visiting since COVID-19 guidelines may have changed opening hours and activity availability.

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Virginia’s New River Valley: Virginia’s New River Valley is an eclectic mix of interconnected small towns that each offer their own unique vibe and appeal. The region provides an abundance of cultural and social offerings due to the presence of three world-class universities, while retaining the charm and benefits of small-town living. The NRV is home to a diverse and innovative business community with companies that range from high-tech startups to foreign-based corporations to specialty agribusiness. These organizations benefit from the collaborative spirit of our region and a loyal, highly skilled, and educated workforce. The scenic beauty of the region also fosters a deep connection to nature, which is deepened by access to outdoor recreation and the preservation of our natural environment. It’s clear why Virginia’s New River Valley is “A Natural Fit.”

Onward NRV: Onward NRV is a public/private, regional economic development organization whose mission is to attract and retain world class jobs, investment, and talent in Virginia’s New River Valley. It’s also a movement where leaders from business, government, and higher education work together to promote the economic vitality of the region.

Pulaski is 2nd Most Affordable Place to Buy a Home in VA

Pulaski is 2nd Most Affordable Place to Buy a Home in VA

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Pulaski County, VA – SmartAsset.com has named Pulaski the second most affordable place to buy a home in Virginia for 2020. The town moved up six spots from 2019, when they were named eighth most affordable place to buy a home in the state.

To compile the list, SmartAsset.com calculated the affordability of each city in the U.S. with a population greater than 5,000. According to the study, “The most affordable places were those in which total housing costs were smallest compared to the median income in each area.”

Click here to see the results from the study at SmartAsset.com.

Click here to learn more about Pulaski and Virginia’s New River Valley.

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Virginia’s New River Valley: Virginia’s New River Valley is an eclectic mix of interconnected small towns that each offer their own unique vibe and appeal. The region provides an abundance of cultural and social offerings due to the presence of three world-class universities, while retaining the charm and benefits of small-town living. The NRV is home to a diverse and innovative business community with companies that range from high-tech startups to foreign-based corporations to specialty agribusiness. These organizations benefit from the collaborative spirit of our region and a loyal, highly skilled, and educated workforce. The scenic beauty of the region also fosters a deep connection to nature, which is deepened by access to outdoor recreation and the preservation of our natural environment. It’s clear why Virginia’s New River Valley is “A Natural Fit.”

Onward NRV: Onward NRV is a public/private, regional economic development organization whose mission is to attract and retain world class jobs, investment, and talent in Virginia’s New River Valley. It’s also a movement where leaders from business, government, and higher education work together to promote the economic vitality of the region.

Try These NRV Coffee Roasters

Try These Five NRV Coffee Roasters

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Note: September 29 2022: This blog post, which was originally published in 2020, was updated to reflect current information about the coffee roasters on this list.  

New River Valley, VA – Virginia’s New River Valley is home to high-quality, world-class coffee roasters. Whether you are a caffeine connoisseur or new to the brew, make sure to try these five coffee roasters in the NRV.

Red Rooster Coffee – Floyd, VA

Red Rooster Coffee NRV Coffee Roasters

Red Rooster was founded in Floyd in 2010 and has received national attention for its coffee ever since. In 2018, Red Rooster was named a Top 12 Coffee Roaster in the U.S. by Forbes.

 

Chipped Mug – Christiansburg, VA

Photo courtesy of Chipped Mug Coffee

Chipped Mug Coffee is the newest addition to Christiansburg’s burgeoning coffee shop scene. It occupies the same space as the former local favorite Brugh Coffee. Longtime roaster Phillip Martin owns the Chipped Mug. Martin, who roasts all his beans in-house, brings years of experience in coffee brewing and was the former head roaster of the Radford Coffee Co.
 

Radford Coffee Co. – Radford, VA

Radford Coffee Co NRV Coffee Roasters

Radford Coffee Co., located on West Main Street in Radford, has a socially conscious business model and benefits a small town in Nicaragua.

 

Strange Coffee Company – Riner, VA

Try These NRV Coffee Roasters

Strange Coffee Company is a micro-roaster of specialty coffee based in Riner. While they don’t have a storefront, you can order coffee directly from their website or find it at one of their local retail partners across the region.

 

Mill Mountain Coffee & Tea – Blacksburg, VA

Mill Mountain Coffee & Tea NRV Coffee Roasters

The Blacksburg location of Mill Mountain Coffee & Tea has been a favorite of Virginia Tech students and Blacksburg residents for many years.

 

Coffee roasters like these are just some of the specialty beverage makers that contribute to the expanding Food Processing & Agribusiness industry in Virginia’s New River Valley. Learn more here.

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Virginia’s New River Valley: Virginia’s New River Valley is an eclectic mix of interconnected small towns that each offer their own unique vibe and appeal. The region provides an abundance of cultural and social offerings due to the presence of three world-class universities, while retaining the charm and benefits of small-town living. The NRV is home to a diverse and innovative business community with companies that range from high-tech startups to foreign-based corporations to specialty agribusiness. These organizations benefit from the collaborative spirit of our region and a loyal, highly skilled, and educated workforce. The scenic beauty of the region also fosters a deep connection to nature, which is deepened by access to outdoor recreation and the preservation of our natural environment. It’s clear why Virginia’s New River Valley is “A Natural Fit.”

Onward NRV: Onward NRV is a public/private, regional economic development organization whose mission is to attract and retain world class jobs, investment, and talent in Virginia’s New River Valley. It’s also a movement where leaders from business, government, and higher education work together to promote the economic vitality of the region.

MCPS Recognized as a “School Division of Innovation” by VA Board of Education

MCPS Named “School Division of Innovation” by VA Board of Education

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Montgomery County, VA – Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) was recognized last week as a “School Division of Innovation” by the Virginia Board of Education. MCPS is among the first 15 school divisions across the state to be recognized for “designing and implementing alternatives to traditional instructional practices and school structures that improve student learning and promote college and career readiness, and good citizenship.”

Montgomery County Public Schools was specifically recognized for these innovative programs and practices:

  • Creating and offering new information technology curricula through dual enrollment
  • Creating new associate degree pathways
  • Developing an alternative model for professional studies
  • Embracing and supporting work-based learning experiences

    Virginia’s New River Valley is a hub for the information technology industry with an ever-expanding need for tech talent. School systems in the region like MCPS are meeting that need by focusing on IT instruction in K-12 curricula.

    Read the full press release from the Virginia Department of Education and see the entire list of the “School Divisions of Innovation” here.

    Learn more about the information technology industry in Virginia’s New River Valley here.

    Learn more about education in the NRV here.

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    Virginia’s New River Valley: Virginia’s New River Valley is an eclectic mix of interconnected small towns that each offer their own unique vibe and appeal. The region provides an abundance of cultural and social offerings due to the presence of three world-class universities, while retaining the charm and benefits of small-town living. The NRV is home to a diverse and innovative business community with companies that range from high-tech startups to foreign-based corporations to specialty agribusiness. These organizations benefit from the collaborative spirit of our region and a loyal, highly skilled, and educated workforce. The scenic beauty of the region also fosters a deep connection to nature, which is deepened by access to outdoor recreation and the preservation of our natural environment. It’s clear why Virginia’s New River Valley is “A Natural Fit.”

    Onward NRV: Onward NRV is a public/private, regional economic development organization whose mission is to attract and retain world class jobs, investment, and talent in Virginia’s New River Valley. It’s also a movement where leaders from business, government, and higher education work together to promote the economic vitality of the region.

    • RU Ranked #33 Southern Regional University by U.S. News & World Report

    RU Ranked #33 Southern Regional University by U.S. News & World Report

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    Radford, VA – Radford University was ranked the #33 Regional University in the South by U.S. News and World Report. The publication released their “2021 U.S. News Best Colleges” rankings in September 2020.

    Radford also ranked in a number of other categories for Southern Regional Universities. U.S. News & World Report defines a regional university as one that “offer[s] a full range of undergraduate programs and some master’s programs but few doctoral programs.”

    Radford University made the Top 20 for Southern Regional Universities in the following categories:

    #14 Top Public Schools
    #15 Best Undergraduate Teaching
    #19 Best Colleges for Veterans

    Read the official press release from Radford University about the rankings here.

    Learn more about Virginia’s New River Valley, the region that Radford University calls home, here.

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    Virginia’s New River Valley: Virginia’s New River Valley is an eclectic mix of interconnected small towns that each offer their own unique vibe and appeal. The region provides an abundance of cultural and social offerings due to the presence of three world-class universities, while retaining the charm and benefits of small-town living. The NRV is home to a diverse and innovative business community with companies that range from high-tech startups to foreign-based corporations to specialty agribusiness. These organizations benefit from the collaborative spirit of our region and a loyal, highly skilled, and educated workforce. The scenic beauty of the region also fosters a deep connection to nature, which is deepened by access to outdoor recreation and the preservation of our natural environment. It’s clear why Virginia’s New River Valley is “A Natural Fit.”

    Onward NRV: Onward NRV is a public/private, regional economic development organization whose mission is to attract and retain world class jobs, investment, and talent in Virginia’s New River Valley. It’s also a movement where leaders from business, government, and higher education work together to promote the economic vitality of the region.

    Lesser Known NRV Hiking Trails Featured in The Roanoke Times

    Lesser Known NRV Hiking Trails Featured in The Roanoke Times

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    New River Valley, VA – Want to escape outdoors for a hike during the COVID-19 pandemic? The Roanoke Times recently featured an article on lesser known hiking trails in Virginia’s New River Valley.

    More and more people are heading outdoors this summer. The Outdoor Industry Association recently found that in April, May, and June of 2020, national hiking participation was up 8.4% compared to those same months in 2019. Because of this increased interest, some of the better-known trails in the region are crowded with hikers. Lesser known trails are a great option for those looking to physically distance while still enjoying the outdoor amenities and natural beauty of Virginia’s New River Valley.

    Here’s a list of the trails featured in the article:

  • Gatewood Reservoir Park, Pulaski
  • Harvey Lee Price Trail, Prices Fork
  • Mary Draper Ingles Trail, Glen Lyn
  • Narrows Mill Creek, Narrows
  • Ellett Valley Nature Trail, Blacksburg

    • Read the full article, including more details about each of the trails, from the Roanoke Times here.

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    Virginia’s New River Valley: Virginia’s New River Valley is an eclectic mix of interconnected small towns that each offer their own unique vibe and appeal. The region provides an abundance of cultural and social offerings due to the presence of three world-class universities, while retaining the charm and benefits of small-town living. The NRV is home to a diverse and innovative business community with companies that range from high-tech startups to foreign-based corporations to specialty agribusiness. These organizations benefit from the collaborative spirit of our region and a loyal, highly skilled, and educated workforce. The scenic beauty of the region also fosters a deep connection to nature, which is deepened by access to outdoor recreation and the preservation of our natural environment. It’s clear why Virginia’s New River Valley is “A Natural Fit.”

    Onward NRV: Onward NRV is a public/private, regional economic development organization whose mission is to attract and retain world class jobs, investment, and talent in Virginia’s New River Valley. It’s also a movement where leaders from business, government, and higher education work together to promote the economic vitality of the region.

    Virginia Tech Ranked 7th Most Loved College by The Princeton Review

    Virginia Tech Ranked 7th Most Loved College by The Princeton Review

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    Montgomery County, VA – Virginia Tech was ranked the 7th most loved college by The Princeton Review. The company released their annual rankings lists for 2021 in August 2020. The ranking was titled, “Their Students Love These Colleges,” and was determined by student responses to the question, “I am satisfied with my school.” Learn more about the methodology of the survey here.

    Virginia Tech, whose main campus is located in Blacksburg, also ranked in the Top 20 on a number of the other categories evaluated by The Princeton Review.

    Here is a list of all the rankings that Virginia Tech received for 2021:

    #1 Best Counseling Services
    #7 Most Loved Colleges
    #8 Best Campus Food
    #15 Town-Gown Relations are Great

    Hokies clearly love Virginia Tech and Blacksburg, and many alumni choose to live, work, and play in Virginia’s New River Valley beyond their college years. Learn more about living and working in the NRV after graduation here.

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    Virginia’s New River Valley: Virginia’s New River Valley is an eclectic mix of interconnected small towns that each offer their own unique vibe and appeal. The region provides an abundance of cultural and social offerings due to the presence of three world-class universities, while retaining the charm and benefits of small-town living. The NRV is home to a diverse and innovative business community with companies that range from high-tech startups to foreign-based corporations to specialty agribusiness. These organizations benefit from the collaborative spirit of our region and a loyal, highly skilled, and educated workforce. The scenic beauty of the region also fosters a deep connection to nature, which is deepened by access to outdoor recreation and the preservation of our natural environment. It’s clear why Virginia’s New River Valley is “A Natural Fit.”

    Onward NRV: Onward NRV is a public/private, regional economic development organization whose mission is to attract and retain world class jobs, investment, and talent in Virginia’s New River Valley. It’s also a movement where leaders from business, government, and higher education work together to promote the economic vitality of the region.